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Burmese ruby opinions

Sydneyphoenix

Sydneyphoenix

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Apr 4, 2021
Messages
420
Hi, I am on the market for an unheated Burmese ruby, and came across this. What do you think about the colour, is this stone (~1.5 ct) too much included, and what do you think about windowing? Depth is about 58%. Thank you in advance.
IMG_7946.jpeg
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Hi, I am on the market for an unheated Burmese ruby, and came across this. What do you think about the colour, is this stone (~1.5 ct) too much included, and what do you think about windowing? Depth is about 58%. Thank you in advance.
IMG_7946.jpeg
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I suspect it will be very very dark IRL. I would ask for an actual on hand pic
 
VividRed said:
What is the asking price?

I agree with @lovedogs , it will likely be very dark and dull, the “sparkles” you see are most likely caused by studio lights
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They are asking around $8700 USD.
Yeah the colour’s a bit dark for Burmese pigeon blood ruby. And moderately included, maybe even windowing?
 
I simply can't tell how bright or dark it is -- one little flick of a slider in Lightroom or a half-stop of overexposure, etc., will make a world of difference in the image.

It looks a little undersaturated -- or less red than the darkish tone would suggest.

It is pretty included -- I am not able to discern pavilion facets through the table.

I think the price alone tells you that this can not be a fine, unheated ruby; you will not find a 1.5-ct at that price point even though it feels like a lot of money.

Only you can decide what you are willing compromise on. This is why I do not have a ruby or a Kashmir sapphire -- the intersection of my requirements for size, lack of treatment, clarity, cut quality, depth (no window/not overdeep), tone, and saturation takes it miles out of my league. I could get a really tiny one -- but for me that's way too close to not having one at all.
 
Another unheated one

Loose Ruby - Asscher - Octagon 1.03 Ct. - #R13626 | The Natural Ruby Company

<p>Discover a gemstone of unparalleled rarity with our exquisite 1.03 carat Asscher-cut pinkish red ruby from The Natural Ruby Company. This exceptional ruby, sourced from the rich terrains of Mozambique, stands out with its unique Asscher-octagon shape, captivating both collectors and seekers...
thenaturalrubycompany.com
 
Too dark and expensive IMHO for my liking.

Each to their own and all that.

DK :))
 
One thing is clear, the GRS “pigeon blood” classification covers a wide range of colour, this one is more deep than vivid red.

Further information about the stone in question can be found here:
www.ebay.com.au

GRS Certified PIGEON'S BLOOD Burmese Ruby 1.61 Ct. Natural Untreated EXCLUSIVE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GRS Certified PIGEON'S BLOOD Burmese Ruby 1.61 Ct. Natural Untreated EXCLUSIVE at the best online prices at eBay!
www.ebay.com.au

Starruby.in have another stone that is smaller but more than double the pricing, cleaner and maybe better colour, both are certified as from Mogok
www.ebay.com.au

GRS Certified MOGOK BURMA Ruby 1.37 Ct. Natural Untreated PIGEON'S BLOOD Rare | eBay

Other localities that yield fine-quality pigeon blood red rubies include Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. Geographic Origin: Mogok - Burma (Myanmar). Burma (Myanmar).
www.ebay.com.au

GemsNY have a few decent stones…what do you think?
 
LilAlex said:
Well, there is asymmetry in the pavilion and then there is this skateboard ramp. Fortunately, it is so included that, as I pointed out above, the pavilion is safely hidden!

I have some wonky "native cuts" but this one offends me. :P2
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Anyone who might get this would be best advised to recut the stone anyway, for better depth and symmetry.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Anyone who might get this would be best advised to recut the stone anyway, for better depth and symmetry.
Click to expand...

Not at that price for a recut project when it is that wonky, sorry, as I suspect there would be a significant loss in weight after re-cut.

When it is that included and dark, I doubt if a recut would greatly improve its overall look/aesthetic.

All IMHO and I am not an expert.

DK :))
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
One thing is clear, the GRS “pigeon blood” classification covers a wide range of colour, this one is more deep than vivid red.

Further information about the stone in question can be found here:
www.ebay.com.au

GRS Certified PIGEON'S BLOOD Burmese Ruby 1.61 Ct. Natural Untreated EXCLUSIVE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GRS Certified PIGEON'S BLOOD Burmese Ruby 1.61 Ct. Natural Untreated EXCLUSIVE at the best online prices at eBay!
www.ebay.com.au

Starruby.in have another stone that is smaller but more than double the pricing, cleaner and maybe better colour, both are certified as from Mogok
www.ebay.com.au

GRS Certified MOGOK BURMA Ruby 1.37 Ct. Natural Untreated PIGEON'S BLOOD Rare | eBay

Other localities that yield fine-quality pigeon blood red rubies include Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. Geographic Origin: Mogok - Burma (Myanmar). Burma (Myanmar).
www.ebay.com.au

GemsNY have a few decent stones…what do you think?
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I suspect all of these will be very dark IRL

Edit. Not the middle super expensive one. That looks lighter in tone, but incredibly pricey. For that kind of money, id insist on a very trusted vendor to "vet" stones for me.
 
dk168 said:
Not at that price for a recut project when it is that wonky, sorry, as I suspect there would be a significant loss in weight after re-cut.

When it is that included and dark, I doubt if a recut would greatly improve its overall look/aesthetic.

All IMHO and I am not an expert.

DK :))
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Not seriously interested in that particular stone anymore but I wonder how a 1.1ct recut stone from this material would look, marginally better looking but can’t help the baseline deep/dark colour I suppose. And reduced size might make it worth less, notwithstanding any improvement in symmetry and cut.
 
lovedogs said:
I suspect all of these will be very dark IRL

Edit. Not the middle super expensive one. That looks lighter in tone, but incredibly pricey. For that kind of money, id insist on a very trusted vendor to "vet" stones for me.
Click to expand...

Don’t like the GemsNY piece either? Agree that the middle one at $20K is quite expensive, better to get someone like Inken to source a stone at that price.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Don’t like the GemsNY piece either? Agree that the middle one at $20K is quite expensive, better to get someone like Inken to source a stone at that price.
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Honestly I would need to see an IRL pic of the gemsny one. Again I suspect it will be quite dark. I think inken is the best person to help with this, because even the "cheaper" ones you're considering are extremely $$
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Not seriously interested in that particular stone anymore but I wonder how a 1.1ct recut stone from this material would look, marginally better looking but can’t help the baseline deep/dark colour I suppose. And reduced size might make it worth less, notwithstanding any improvement in symmetry and cut.
Click to expand...

It is not a gamble that I would consider as there are too many risks involved.

Back in 2020, I entrusted Jeff White to source a neon pink Sapphire for me at Tucson just before the Covid pandemic.

He found one with exelllent colour, good size and price, however, it needed to be recut to remove a noticeable window.

I immediately said yes, and let him get on with it, as I trusted him for his good judgements and cutting, still do! The recut stone is gorgeous, however, I could be a tad bias!

DK :))
 
Found another stone on Ebay, not Mogok but still Burmese pigeon blood per GRS. I think a bit brighter but a tad pinkish? Honestly the Mozambique rubies seem to be better value these days, if you don’t care so much for Burmese tag and fluorescence (but isn’t fluorescence what rubies are all about?!)

www.ebay.com.au

Natural Cut 1.20 Carat GRS Certified Pigeon Blood Burma Ruby Cushion Faceted Gem | eBay

This exquisite 1.20 carat cushion-cut ruby is a stunning piece of natural jewelry. With a vivid red color and excellent cut grade, this gem is sure to catch the eye of any gemstone collector. The gemstone is certified by GRS and has a clarity grade of SI, ensuring its authenticity and quality...
www.ebay.com.au
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Anyone who might get this would be best advised to recut the stone anyway, for better depth and symmetry.
Click to expand...
:confused:
Tell me, how exactly can cutting a stone make it deeper?
 
kenny said:
:confused:
Tell me, how exactly can cutting a stone make it deeper?
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"Better depth" = better depth proportion, at the cost of reduced face-up size and loss of weight.

Also, an overly dark stone might benefit from being made smaller altogether. (Shorter light paths give less absorption.) But only if you are prepared to throw away the carats you paid for...
 
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As a ruby lover, there isn’t a 1.5ct Burmese ruby with the qualities I look for that will sell for less than 40k USD. Any carat sized unheated ruby selling for less than 10k cannot possibly be anything short of a disappointment, assuming you are looking for vivid red (pinkish red is a lot cheaper).

Ebay and Etsy are not the venues for high quality material, which I suppose is what you are after? And Burma carries a SIGNIFICANT premium even on low quality stones, which is not justified but still very much a fact. Unless you buy at the absolute top end, avoid Burmese rubies or accept the immense, unjustifiable premium over Mozambique for comparable color.

The stones you are posting tell me your budget is limited and not “Burma-friendly”, yet you probably have an itch for a Burmese ruby. I know the feeling, but this inevitably leads to expensive mistakes.

Sorry, not helpful, I know. Buying rubies is a nightmare. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but anyone who tells you that you can find a lovely unheated, carat-sized Burmese ruby for 10k simply does not know what they are talking about.

Set 20-30k aside for a 1ct+ ruby, then call Inken.
 
Since we are on the topic of rubies from other countries…
Yesterday I collected a ruby ring for my friend (who was in London) .
The unheated ruby is 1.1 ct. The lab report showed origin as Tanzania. It is fluoresces in sunlight. The ring very good buy :mrgreen2: at a sane price, below the prices of the unmounted rubies mentioned above.

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VividRed said:
As a ruby lover, there isn’t a 1.5ct Burmese ruby with the qualities I look for that will sell for less than 40k USD. Any carat sized unheated ruby selling for less than 10k cannot possibly be anything short of a disappointment, assuming you are looking for vivid red (pinkish red is a lot cheaper).

Ebay and Etsy are not the venues for high quality material, which I suppose is what you are after? And Burma carries a SIGNIFICANT premium even on low quality stones, which is not justified but still very much a fact. Unless you buy at the absolute top end, avoid Burmese rubies or accept the immense, unjustifiable premium over Mozambique for comparable color.

The stones you are posting tell me your budget is limited and not “Burma-friendly”, yet you probably have an itch for a Burmese ruby. I know the feeling, but this inevitably leads to expensive mistakes.

Sorry, not helpful, I know. Buying rubies is a nightmare. I know this is an unpopular opinion, but anyone who tells you that you can find a lovely unheated, carat-sized Burmese ruby for 10k simply does not know what they are talking about.

Set 20-30k aside for a 1ct+ ruby, then call Inken.
Click to expand...

Thank you. That’s a sound advice, $20K USD seem to be where the quality is for Burmese rubies.
 
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